Tag Futebol

Lille’s Ivorian forward Gervinho is causing quite a stir among a variety of English clubs in the transfer market as they battle it out for his signature. The player has made his intentions clear to current club Lille that he wants a move away, with the Premiership the most likely destination. Now it looks like the only question mark remaining is which Premiership club will he decide to join over the coming weeks?

Newcastle initially appeared to emerge as genuine contenders for Gervinho’s services, but without the prospect European football they would seem to be the least attractive prospect for the forward. There is however a lifeline for the Toon in the form of Gervinho’s former team mate Yohan Cabaye. Cabaye who recently signed for Newcastle is said to have told Gervinho to follow his lead to Tyneside, although whether Cabaye’s powers of persuasion will convince Gervinho to join him remain to be seen. The other interested parties are believed to be Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City, with Arsenal and Man City looking like the main contenders. On Friday reports in the press suggested Arsenal had had a bid accepted for Gervinho and the player was in talks over a deal with the Gunners. He looked to be on his way to the Emirates until the news surfaced that Manchester City had also had a bid accepted and had offered a substantially higher wage to secure the player.

With nothing finalised and plenty of Premier League clubs clambering for his services what is it about Gervinho that is so appealing and will he be a hit in the Premier League? He was an integral factor in Lille’s double winning side last season in which he showed his ability in front of goal by weighing in with fifteen league goals. As well as his goal scoring tendencies he is also blessed with quick feet, trickery, pace and technical ability, attributes that will all serve him well in the fast pace of the Premier League. Although he is a forward Gervinho can also operate on either wing which adds versatility to his game. Gervinho’s style of play would be well suited to Arsenal and it’s no coincidence that he has been on the radar of Arsene Wenger for a number of years.

Gervinho’s slight build may mean the physical nature of the Premiership will take some getting used to but it’ s not something that will phase him and anything he lacks in strength will be compensated for by his quick feet and pace. Gervinho would be following a number of his compatriots in coming to England with the likes of Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Cheik Tiote all adapting well to the demands of the Premier League. If Gervinho takes to the Premiership in the same way as his fellow countrymen have then he will be a hit in England. Furthermore, for a price believed to be in the region of £10 million whichever club wins the race to sign him will be adding an exciting addition to their squad for a bargain price.

Gervinho has been quoted on SkySports.com as saying “My agents are moving things as I want, people know where my future lies, it is in England.” So now all we are waiting to see is which club Gervinho will be representing next season.

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Harry Redknapp has a habit of signing former players: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Younes Kaboul and Niko Kranjcar are all in their second spells under Tottenham’s charasmatic manager. So it shouldn’t be a suprise that for the last two years Spurs have been linked with former Portsmouth player Sulley Muntari; Inter Milan’s powerful midfield workhorse. On Tuesday Muntari had a chance to shine and show Spurs fans why Redknapp, according to the press, seems so keen to re-sign him.

When I was asked to write a piece on Sulley Muntari performance  I was a little worried. I’d watched the game and had barely heard his name – how do I know how well he’d played if he didn’t make any impact on the game? Then I realised I’d answered my own question.

Muntari’s only telling contribution to Tuesday’s match was falling for Modric’s dummy prior to the opening goal and leaving the field through injury after only 53 minutes. Muntari is a versatile player who can play central midfield or on the left and he is the type of player who, when on top of his game, will boss a midfield, keep possession and break up opposition attacks. But last night he was completely overrun by a dominant Spurs midfield who made the best team in Europe look decidely ordinary.

Muntari has a good pedigree, he has over 200 appearances in Serie A and was integral part of the Portsmouth team who qualified for the UEFA Cup in 2007, but last night Tottenham’s central midfield duo of Tom Huddlestone and Luka Modric who ran the show. Both were fantastic on the ball, completed passes all over the pitch and put in a shift defensively whenever it was required of them. Modric especially has shown the Spurs faithful exactly why the 16 million spent on him after Euro 2008 was a shrewd piece of business – his assist for Van der Vaart’s opener was a sublime piece of skill. With the attention from last night surrounding Spurs’ impact players: Gareth Bale, Rafael Van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon it was the efficient, but largely unglamorous, performances of the central two that kept Inter at bay.

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So will all the rumours go away now? I’m not questioning Muntari’s ability, but Spurs would end up spending a lot of money (presumably) on a player who doesn’t look any better than what is already at the club. Behind Modric and Huddlestone there is Sandro, Wilson Palacios, Jermaine Jenas and Niko Kranjcar; all talented players vying for places in the starting XI who Muntari would need to compete with. I’ve said previously that Spurs’ midfield is a match for any in the country and when we were after Joe Cole I was a little skeptical as to where he would fit in and who would fall down the pecking order as a result. The same can be said of Muntari – on present form who would lose their place in the Spurs team to accommodate the Ghanian midfielder?

Muntari has proven himself in England before and could well end up there again – you don’t secure a £16 million move to Inter Milan from Portsmouth if you’re a bad player, but judging from Tuesday night’s match his proposed move to White Hart Lane could now be a no-go.

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The recent upward turn in fortunes for the red half of North London has been met with a great deal of positivity from the Gunners faithful. However, it’s difficult to escape the feeling that Arsenal have actually underachieved this term, turning in some woeful performances and failing to mount a similar title surge to that of the first half of last season.

Arsenal are far from a poor side, and their place in the much coveted top-four of the Premier League illustrates that fact, but on occasions this term they have looked far from the fluid attacking force witnessed over the course of the past decade. Certain players have failed to pull their weight and Arsene Wenger edged closer than ever before to the exit door, creating a negative feeling throughout the club and it’s loyal following.

If the Gunners had been able to turn in the displays of the past month on a consistent basis, then fourth place would be a formality and a challenge for the title, alongside the Manchester sides, would be the focus of the final 10 matches, rather than nervously looking over their shoulder at the trio of Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool. Although that day at Old Trafford is all but a distant memory, it should, and cannot, be forgotten by Wenger, who saw his next generation pummeled by one of his fiercest rivals, a side who they will have to compete with if Arsenal are going to be successful in years to come. Okay it was just one day, but the way in which those young players were led out like lambs to the slaughter, with little regard for tactical competence, may serve to damage their confidence for years to come.

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There is also the shadow of the Robin van Persie saga hanging over the Emirates, with the Dutchman’s future far from certain. We don’t need to talk at length about his importance to the club, with his tally of 26 league goals, more than the entire Wigan team, being displaying his talents, and keeping the side within touching distance of Champions League football next term. If his future was guaranteed then his ‘golden touch’ would be far from an issue, yet as it stands a summer departure looks to be a genuine possibility.

Although measures are being taken to persuade the skipper to stay, in the shape of Lukas Podolski, Wenger’s dealings of last summer hardly display the kind of quality to inspire confidence. Per Mertesacker has looked shaky at best, while Park Chu-Young has more splinters in backside than first-team appearances, due to a sustained period on the bench. Mikel Arteta has been a relative success, but it’s hard to get past the feeling that he is just a poor man’s Cesc Fabregas, and the only thing more confusing than Gervinho’s inability to convert the simplest of chances is the Ivorian’s peculiar hair-line.

I don’t want to sound too negative in regards to the Arsenal cause, but the recent surge cannot be used to paper over the cracks at the club. Champions League football may be secured and van Persie may stay, and if so that will be great for the team and its supporters, yet if the opposite occurs then the future would suddenly look far more bleak. Arsenal’s prudent financial approach deserves credit, but a healthy bank balance will not keep the fans happy in the long term, giving RvP a rise however would, and with the money in place surely keeping him should be the priority.

Although after 38 games, Arsenal’s season could look to be a success if they make the top four, but the failings of the side this term and the over-reliance on their captain create a real cause for concern in North London.

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What are your thoughts? Comment or follow @Alex_Hams on Twitter

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Kashima Reysol have bolstered their J-League lead with a 3-0 defeat of Vissel Kobe on Saturday, while the honours were shared in Sendai.Junya Tanaka scored a brace inside of four first-half minutes and Brazilian import Leandro Domingues added a third for the promoted club, who have won six of eight games in a stunning start to their top-flight campaign.

Tanaka opened the scoring in the 21st minute and added a second soon after, stunning a Kobe outfit who travelled to Kashiwa on the back of three straight wins.

The visitors were never able to recover from the early blows, and Brazilian striker Domingues – who led Kashiwa in scoring last season – rubbed salt into their wounds with his third goal of the campaign in the 76th minute.

Kashiwa leads Vegalta Sendai by three points on top of the standings after the latter were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Yokohama F Marinos.

Shingo Akamine put the hosts ahead in the 20th minute with his fourth goal of the season, but former Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Hiroyuki Taniguchi was on hand to equalise for Yokohama on 69 minutes.

In other results, Urawa Red Diamonds and Albirex Niigata fought out a 1-1 draw at the Saitama Stadium, a result mirrored by Montedio Yamagata’s trip to Ventforet Kofu.

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Finally, Jubilo Iwata enjoyed success on the road by holding Shimizu S-Pulse to a 0-0 draw.

I have to admit that I never understand where the journalists get their inspiration, but our friends at The People sunk to new depths of desperation this morning in the hope of pulling off a real coup. If suggesting that City is willing to offer one English pound more than any other club would pay for Fernando Torres wasn’t bad enough, then our apparent £9m interest in Charles N’Zogbia saw them hitting rock bottom.

Of course as you would all expect that the reliable source used came from a journalist’s best friend ‘the insider’. It’s all so easy and obviously they believe that supporters are idiots and will buy into this sort of tripe, as long as they inform us an ‘insider’ or a ‘source close to the club’ has fed them the information.

“They are willing to pay one pound more than the best offer that comes in for Fernando,” a source close to Torres told the paper.”

“City wants to prepare a new project with Torres as their main star. Next season they want to make sure they are fighting for the Premier League title from the first moment again.”

Perhaps Liverpool should put out their own statement via the press claiming that Barcelona has tabled a £100m bid and see if this ‘insider’ is as good as his word.

Elsewhere in this pathetic excuse of a paper we have apparently sent three scouts to watch Wigan’s game in midweek to watch Charles N’Zogbia. The journalist didn’t claim an ‘insider’ on this occasion, but it must have been obvious that the French winger was the object of their attentions and not one of the other 21 players that were on the pitch that day. Let me work this out. ‘Liverpool need width in the team and with the knowledge that Hodgson has money to spend’ – absolute genius, god it is easy this journalism lark isn’t it? Perhaps one of the stipulations of working for The People is that you must make 2+2 equal five.

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I know I shouldn’t get riled by this and should accept it as part of the course, but these fabricated lies simply boils my blood and the problem with them is, especially in the case of Torres, is that they simply have no purpose other than to unsettle the player. Why I am not naive enough to realise that is the sole intention to seed further headlines, I ask the question as to why the press allowed to get away with it, time after time – shouldn’t the club look to challenge these damaging headlines on a daily basis, before they fester into something that could prove problematic long term?

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Liverpool return to Wembley for the first time in 1996, with the football club determined to re-own the national stadium like they did in the 80s and early 90s. The odds are heavily stacked in their favour against Championship side Cardiff and the Carling Cup will bring a welcome piece of silverware to Kenny Dalglish who is hoping that winning it will inspire the club and prove a catalyst for future glories.

Elsewhere in the news AVB has warned that it may get worse before things get better at Chelsea; Wenger believes that Arsenal players shouldn’t feel sorry for themselves, while Tom Cleverley has had to pull out of England following an ankle injury.

 Headlines

Kenny Dalglish admits that he has a selection headache ahead of the Carling Cup final, as the likes of Craig Bellamy and Daniel Agger return to full fitness – Guardian

Andre Villas-Boas has warned that it may get worse at Chelsea before things start to get better at Stamford Bridge – Guardian

Arsene Wenger believes that Arsenal players shouldn’t feel sorry for themselves, ahead of the North London derby and feels Sunday’s game gives them a good chance to show their character – Guardian

Harry Redknapp believes that Arsenal fans should lay off Arsene Wenger and says the Frenchman simply is irreplaceable – Daily Telegraph

Fernando Torres has finally paid the price for his failure in front of goal by being dropped by the Spanish national side – Independent

Europe’s top clubs have walked away from talks with FIFA over the International calendar – Independent

Tom Cleverley’s hopes of making a mark in the England has been dealt a blow as the Manchester United midfielder has picked up another injury knock – Daily Mail

Paul Robinson is set to come out of international retirement and offer some much needed cover for England’s caretaker boss Stuart Pearce – Daily Mail

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Bacaray Sagna has warned Eden Hazard against moving to Tottenham and believes it will be in his best interests to join Arsenal instead – Daily Mirror

Liverpool and Newcastle have been put on transfer alert as Seydou Keita has revealed he is looking to quit Barcelona at the end of the season – Metro

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With the title and top four places wrapped up, it’s all about the bottom of the table and possible relegation from the Premier League this weekend on the final day of the season. Blackpool, Wigan, Birmingham, Wolves and Blackburn are all fighting not to join West Ham as the teams to be relegated from the Premier League this season.

Blackpool face a tricky trip to Premier League champions Manchester United, Wigan travel to Stoke and Birmingham are away to Tottenham. Wolves and Blackburn may be happy to play out a draw at Molineux, but neither will want to lose and face the risk of being overtaken by teams below them. Whatever happens, it should prove to be a fascinating final day of the season, in which there are sure to be plenty of twists and turns.

Glenn Moore:

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Patrick Barclay:

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Martin Lipton:

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Continue to the NEXT PAGE for the predictions in full…

Football Writers’ Association Predictions – Week 42

Current May standings

1. Andy Dunn – 7 (2)

2. Patrick Barclay – 6 (4)

3. Steve Bates – 6 (4)

4. Shaun Custis – 6 (1)

5. Des Kelly – 5 (3)

6. Martin Lipton – 4 (2)

7. Glenn Moore – 3 (2)

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Overall standings

1. Steve Bates – 193

2. Martin Lipton – 189

3. Shaun Custis – 187

4. Andy Dunn – 179

5. Des Kelly – 179

6. Glenn Moore – 178

7. Patrick Barclay – 176

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Patrick Barclay (The Times)

Home Team

Away Team

Aston Villa

V

Liverpool

H

Bolton

V

Man City

A

Everton

V

Chelsea

H

Fulham

V

Arsenal

D

Man United

V

Blackpool

H

Newcastle

V

West Brom

D

Stoke

V

Wigan

D

Tottenham

V

Birmingham

H

West Ham

V

Sunderland

H

Wolves

V

Blackburn

D

ASTON VILLA V LIVERPOOL: JUST THE TONIC FOR HOULLIER

Des Kelly (Daily Mail)

Home Team

Away Team

Aston Villa

V

Liverpool

A

Bolton

V

Man City

A

Everton

V

Chelsea

H

Fulham

V

Arsenal

D

Man United

V

Blackpool

D

Newcastle

V

West Brom

D

Stoke

V

Wigan

A

Tottenham

V

Birmingham

D

West Ham

V

Sunderland

H

Wolves

V

Blackburn

H

WOLVES V BLACKBURN: Wolves are fighters and the team is built in Mick McCarthy’s no-nonsense image. They are scrapping for their lives and I’d back them to come through

Shaun Custis (The Sun)

Home Team

Away Team

Aston Villa

V

Liverpool

D

Bolton

V

Man City

A

Everton

V

Chelsea

D

Fulham

V

Arsenal

D

Man United

V

Blackpool

H

Newcastle

V

West Brom

H

Stoke

V

Wigan

A

Tottenham

V

Birmingham

H

West Ham

V

Sunderland

D

Wolves

V

Blackburn

H

SPURS V BIRMINGHAM. Birmingham have to win to be sure of safety but are in no sort of form and Spurs should take the points.

Continue to the NEXT PAGE for the rest of the predictions…

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Andy Dunn (News of the World)

Home Team

Away Team

Aston Villa

V

Liverpool

A

Bolton

V

Man City

A

Everton

V

Chelsea

H

Fulham

V

Arsenal

A

Man United

V

Blackpool

H

Newcastle

V

West Brom

H

Stoke

V

Wigan

A

Tottenham

V

Birmingham

H

West Ham

V

Sunderland

H

Wolves

V

Blackburn

H

Fulham v Arsenal. It has been nothing short of a disastrous end to Arsenal’s season but surely Arsene Wenger will rally his team for one last effort, especially as it could mean avoiding the nuisance of a Champions League qualifying tie. Away win.

Martin Lipton (The Mirror)

Home Team

Away Team

Aston Villa

V

Liverpool

H

Bolton

V

Man City

A

Everton

V

Chelsea

D

Fulham

V

Arsenal

D

Man United

V

Blackpool

H

Newcastle

V

West Brom

H

Stoke

V

Wigan

H

Tottenham

V

Birmingham

D

West Ham

V

Sunderland

A

Wolves

V

Blackburn

H

Bolton v Man City: Bolton can’t wait for the season to finish, City know a win will give them an automatic Champions League place. Only one outcome, surely.

Steve Bates (The People)

Home Team

Away Team

Aston Villa

V

Liverpool

H

Bolton

V

Man City

A

Everton

V

Chelsea

A

Fulham

V

Arsenal

H

Man United

V

Blackpool

D

Newcastle

V

West Brom

H

Stoke

V

Wigan

D

Tottenham

V

Birmingham

H

West Ham

V

Sunderland

H

Wolves

V

Blackburn

H

Stoke v Wigan: Stoke will be looking to end the season on a high after successive defeats in the Cup Final and league to Manchester City and that could spell trouble for Roberto Martinez and his survival-seeking stars

Glenn Moore (The Independent)

Home Team

Away Team

Aston Villa

V

Liverpool

H

Bolton

V

Man City

A

Everton

V

Chelsea

D

Fulham

V

Arsenal

D

Man United

V

Blackpool

H

Newcastle

V

West Brom

D

Stoke

V

Wigan

D

Tottenham

V

Birmingham

H

West Ham

V

Sunderland

D

Wolves

V

Blackburn

H

Manchester United v Blackpool: Blackpool will be left relying on results elsewhere with a weakened, but far from weak Manchester United team likely to prove too strong for them

As Wolves suffer their 4th straight defeat in a row Adam and I mull over the events that followed:

This week’s show!

Wolves News: Van Damme’s homesick, Injury update, Matt Murray’s reward and a 3rd Wolves Kit?

Wigan: Over after 10 mins? Did the lads play well enough? Best Wolves player on the day? Who will slot into the centre of midfield – Mancienne, Mijias, Edwards? West Ham – an even bigger 6 pointer?

The Henry debate: Has the media over-hyed Wolves so-called ‘dirty’ play too much? and Adam v BBC Matt Slater round 1

and finally….. Henry or Hanry?

Click here to listen to the Podcast

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Let us know your views!!

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“He is not as good as Messi yet, but he has the talent to become this kind of player. He is the kind of player you have got every 10 or 15 years. He has got a very rare talent. I think he has been blessed by God.”

Lille Youth Coach Stephane Adam.

Eden Hazard is currently strutting around with the title of ‘most prized asset in European football’. This week saw the Lille hotshot light up message boards and social networking sites with news of his supposed imminent arrival at White Hart Lane.

Many would agree that Hazard has earned the right to be held in the same regard as official Ballon d’Or collector Lionel Messi. They share the same minute stature, which contributes to a low centre of gravity enabling them to drift past players with deceptive ease, and both fleet footed attackers have scored memorable solo efforts that mean they’re a constant presence on YouTube.

However, his wavering work rate has previously been brought into question and he was sensationally dropped by both Lille coach Rudi Garcia and Belgium national team coach Georges Leekens, who accused him of being lazy in training. Despite 9 goals in 22 league games this season, his strike rate is often described as ‘erratic’ meaning he’s usually criticised for not scoring more goals. He should fit right in with Luka Modric then.

Although reports of a done deal were a tad premature, Tottenham’s new found ability to seemingly attract a player of Hazard’s calibre is a true testament to their progress in recent years.

Redknapp’s side are now highly regarded as modern connoisseurs of free flowing attacking football, Hazard himself told Belgian talkshow La Tribune “It is a nice club with a lot of good players and absolutely a top coach.” The signings of seasoned internationals Scott Parker and Van Der Vaart, for relatively insignificant fees, have clearly enhanced their reputation on continental shores.

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The transfer of Hazard would certainly signal a new dawn at Spurs. His valuation is touted somewhere north of the £20m mark and his apparent wage demands would surely dwarf the highest earners currently residing at the Lane. No question then, this transfer could propel Spurs towards the same status as London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

Rumours of a potential deal struck a sour note with Arsenal fans and they immediately sought to quash its credibility, even going to the extent of creating the hashtag #hazzardtospursjokes on Twitter. It’s no secret that Wenger has tracked the petite playmaker for a number of years but once again he has refused to spend the money required to meet a parent club’s valuation. Having recently missed out on Gary Cahill, isn’t it time Wenger swallowed his pride to ensure the Gunners don’t descend into the laughing stock of the Europa League?

Chelsea are another club said to be sniffing around the twice named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, a feat that the legendary Zidane nor Henry managed to achieve. However, you would imagine their capture of Mata combined with the emergence of Josh McEachran has helped satisfy their appetite for an attacking midfielder.

Surprisingly, one club who doesn’t appear to be pursuing Hazard are Manchester United, whose much-publicised pursuit of Wesley Sneijder has dominated the back pages for many months. Surely Hazard represents a better long-term investment with his raw pace and ability to take on players. It would also prevent Wayne Rooney from having to drop back to the halfway line every time he wants to create a meaningful United attack.

Hazard has also been linked with a move to Spain where the style and intensity of La Liga would arguably better suit his game, and the pessimists among us would endorse the notion that this story is simply a ploy to encourage interest from these ‘big’ clubs. It’s fair to say he is one of only a few players who could improve a side like Barcelona and it would be foolish to rule out Real Madrid adding him to their expensive collection of Galácticos.

My initial reaction upon seeing this story was that this was a last ditch attempt by chairman Daniel Levy to convince Redknapp to shun a future with the England national side. Spurs look on course for a top 4 finish and with proposals for a new stadium emerging every five minutes, this landmark signing maybe the motivation Redknapp needs to remain at the club.

It remains to be seen where the finance will come from in order to bring these developments to fruition but it may explain the club’s unexpectedly quiet involvement in the January transfer window. The legions of giddy Spurs fans may have a change of heart when they realise they could be playing their home games at the Compare The Market Arena.

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In amongst all the speculation one thing remains clear; Tottenham Hotspur will struggle to make the next step without major investment.

Simples.

For more terrible puns and reaction to all the new developments in the world of football, join me on Twitter @theunusedsub

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Blackpool almost claimed the three points they desperately needed to avoid relegation but had to settle for a point in a dramatic 1-1 draw with Tottenham.Charlie Adam missed a penalty with 15 minutes to go after Michael Dawson handled in the box but the Scotland international had the chance to atone for his miss, again from the spot, just 21 seconds later when Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes tripped Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

This time, Adam netted to seemingly give Blackpool a crucial win but Jermain Defoe’s strike on 88 minutes salvaged a point for Tottenham, whose dreams of holding on to fourth place and a Champions League spot are hanging in the balance.

It can be argued that Adam was lucky to even be on the pitch after a foul on Gareth Bale should have been punished with a red card.

Bale left the field on a stretcher and replays showed his ankle buckle under Adam’s boot in a challenge that is likely to rule the Welshman out of Spurs’ final games of the season.

The match sprung into life after a tepid first half. Both sides seemed pretty lacklustre in the opening exchanges and even when Spurs found a way through, Roman Pavlyuchenko failed to test Matt Gilks in the Blackpool goal.

Sergey Kornilenko looked slow in attack for Blackpool and Adam failed to influence the match from deep in the first half as Spurs coasted towards a goalless conclusion after the first 45 minutes.

The second half had all the drama the first half lacked and the game exploded into life late on. With Blackpool increasingly getting a foothold in the game, Dawson handled Adam’s corner in the box and referee Lee Probert rightly awarded a penalty.

Gomes saved Adam’s spot kick but from the resulting corner, the error-prone goalkeeper brought down Taylor-Fletcher to incredibly give Adam the chance to redeem himself.

Having taken the ball off DJ Campbell, Adam this time sent Gomes the right way to seemingly give Blackpool a point in their hunt for survival.

But Defoe found space in the dying minutes to slam the ball past Gilks and earn a point for Tottenham.